Penn State Football: Spring game nuggets and notes

Allen Robinson began where he left off last year with a long gain on an end-around; expect O’Brien to get the ball to his top playmaker whenever he can this season.

Steven Bench started with the offense and led a scoring drive on his first possession. During the drive he completed all three of his passes while running backs Zach Zwinak and Akeel Lynch finished off the rest of the drive.

Bench also showed great mobility on the run, and was featured on several bootlegs much like we saw from Matt McGloin last year. The sophomore’s best asset is his accuracy, again much like McGloin in the same offense last year. Even though there was little pressure on any of the quarterbacks, Bench showed good poise in the pocket and stood tall when given the chance to throw the ball, something he didn’t do well last season in albeit limited time as a true freshman.

Speaking of Akeel Lynch, the sophomore looked great all day, showing good burst, vision and pad level. He broke off at least two big gains that earned his offense four points in the improvised Spring Game scoring system.

Lynch should see time in the backfield along with returning backs Zwinak, who looked good in limited time, and Bill Belton, who did not play due to a toe injury. Lynch’s quickness should provide a nice change of pace from the bruising Zwinak for the offense during the season.

On defense, Nyeem Wartman, who looks to hold down the third starting linebacker position, blew up a screen pass early on and showed good pursuit against the run. Barring injury, he looks like the man to join Josh Hull and Glenn Carson in the linebacker corps.

One guy everyone had their eyes on was the second quarterback to enter the game in Tyler Ferguson. The JUCO transfer dropped his first snap under center, then overthrew his first pass badly. Despite the rough start, Ferguson recovered on his next series and threw an impressive 27-yard touchdown to Jesse James that displayed his arm strength and touch throwing the football.

The Blue team led the White team 47-30 at halftime.

One interesting tidbit to follow all day was the positioning of the various tight ends throughout the day. On Ferguson’s touchdown in the first half, James lined up in the backfield and ran what looked to be a wheel route up the sideline for the score. In the second half, James also lined up in the backfield at least two or three times while moving prior to the snap. With a bevy of athletic tight ends at his disposal, expect more creativity from O’Brien and the offense this season.

In fact, both touchdowns Bench threw on the afternoon were thrown to tight ends; James in the first half, and one to Brent Wilkerson in the second half. Just a sign of things to come.